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Monday, May 17, 2010

Disney Parks is overhauling the Star Wars-themed Star Tours rides at Disneyland and Walt Disney World later this year, and now Star Wars fans know when they can get that last ride on the original.

Star Tours will close at Disneyland on July 27 and at Walt Disney World on Sept. 8.

The original Star Tours ride puts riders in the passenger seat of a StarSpeeder 3000 spacecraft, under the pilot of a droid named Rex. The ship is supposed to be headed to the Moon of Endor, but a few wrong turns lead it into the middle of a battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Death Star.

It's a motion simulator ride that was on the cutting edge when it launched about 20 years ago. But now, it's a 20-year-old ride in need of an overhaul -- that's a "re-imagining" in Disney-speak.

The "new" Star Tours will be a 3-D affair, with riders joining in a high-speed pod race on Tatooine. It is expected to re-open at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in May 2011.

Walt Disney World and the fan convention Star Wars Celebration V are holding a "Last Tour to Endor" party on Aug. 14 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. A special event ticket is required; a regular park ticket won't get you in. The party will include Star Wars shows, a "Death Star Disco" and Star Wars-themed fireworks.

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Ian M. Sherwin Giclée

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